Arctic Trail: Six Steps the United States Must Take to Manage the Global Rush North

The geographic landscape in the Arctic is rapidly changing, which could allow substantial transportation and resource development in the future. Currently, the international legal framework is not sufficient to handle the sovereignty and resource rights disputes in the region. Increased human activi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Beeber, Gregg C.
Other Authors: AIR COMMAND AND STAFF COLL MAXWELL AFB AL
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 2009
Subjects:
Administration and Management
Economics and Cost Analysis
Geography
*RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
*ARCTIC REGIONS
NATIONAL SECURITY
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
TRANSPORTATION
Arctic
Handle The
Arctic Council
Law of the Sea
Online Access:http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA539658
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA539658
Description
Summary:The geographic landscape in the Arctic is rapidly changing, which could allow substantial transportation and resource development in the future. Currently, the international legal framework is not sufficient to handle the sovereignty and resource rights disputes in the region. Increased human activity in the region will exacerbate these disputes, creating significant national security, economic, and environmental implications. Arctic development is at a crossroads in which either competition or cooperation can dictate the region s future. Woefully behind the other Arctic nations in capabilities and regional development, the United States must actively engage Arctic issues. It should lead multilateral efforts to resolve regional disputes, develop enforceable environmental standards and enhance scientific exploration in the region. This leadership role can be accomplished by following a six step process: 1) Ratify the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; 2) Find ways to empower the Arctic Council, the most successful multilateral organization in the region; 3) Submit unresolved diplomatic disputes to the International Seabed Authority as a neutral third party arbitrator; 4) Mobilize the American public to understand the implications of being an DArctic Nation 5) Reorganize the Department of Defense s Unified Command Plan; and 6) Invest in a cohesive and robust Arctic presence to ensure U.S. Arctic sovereignty. The original document contains color images.

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